Santa Margarita Defeats Durango in a Shootout

Santa Margarita and Las Vegas (Nv.) Durango brought the Nike Extravaganza basketball tournament to a close Saturday night with a tight game highlighted by a long-range shootout.

The teams combined for 18 three-pointers and 55 field goals, but Santa Margarita (15-6) was steadiest at the free-throw line in the final three minutes and came away with a 79-70 victory.

Until the end, neither team let the other stray too far. The first quarter ended in a 16-16 tie. Santa Margarita forged a 37-34 halftime advantage.

The Eagles broke open a 53-53 deadlock with an 8-4 spurt to start the fourth quarter and then held on against several late rushes by the Trailblazers. Late free throws by Brad Gloger (19 points) and Carson Palmer kept the visitors from Nevada from catching up.

Ry Forehan-Kelly led Santa Margarita with 21 points. Durango’s Steve Simister, who made seven three-pointers, led all scorers with 29.